Bathing and exfoliating washcloth

ABSTRACT

A washcloth for washing and exfoliating the body. The washcloth comprises a fabric base panel, a pocket panel coupled to the fabric base panel, including a closure and providing a receptacle for receiving soap, an exfoliating material coupled to the washcloth in a location exposed to enable the exfoliating material to exfoliate the skin of the body when drawn over the skin, a first flexible handle coupled to the fabric base panel at a perimeter of the fabric base panel, and a second flexible handle coupled to the fabric base panel at the perimeter of the fabric base panel opposite the first flexible handle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to washcloths, and more particularly, to a washcloth adapted for multiple washing functions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bathers must accomplish a number of specific tasks when bathing, including general washing, exfoliating the skin, and others. Washcloths have been proposed to assist with these tasks. However, none provides the features and benefits of the disclosed washcloth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above stated situation by providing a washcloth for washing and exfoliating the body. The washcloth comprises a fabric base panel, a pocket panel coupled to the fabric base panel, including a closure and providing a receptacle for receiving soap, an exfoliating material coupled to the washcloth in a location exposed to enable the exfoliating material to exfoliate the skin of the body when drawn over the skin, a first flexible handle coupled to the fabric base panel at a perimeter of the fabric base panel, and a second flexible handle coupled to the fabric base panel at the perimeter of the fabric base panel opposite the first flexible handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a washcloth, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is plan view of another washcloth, according to at least one aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of still another washcloth, according to at least a further aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of yet another washcloth, according to at least another aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of still another washcloth, according to a still further aspect of the disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a side cross sectional detail view of a washcloth, according to still another aspect of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the invention, there is shown a washcloth 100 for washing and exfoliating the body (not shown) of a user. Washcloth 100 comprises a fabric base panel 102, a pocket panel 104 coupled to fabric base panel 102, pocket panel 104 including a closure 106 and providing a receptacle 108 for receiving soap 110. An exfoliating material 112 is coupled to washcloth 100 in a location exposed to enable exfoliating material 112 to exfoliate the skin of the body when drawn over the skin. A first flexible handle 114 is coupled to fabric base panel 102 at a perimeter of the fabric base panel 102. A second flexible handle 116 is coupled to fabric base panel 102 at the perimeter thereof opposite first flexible handle 114.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the times to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not either require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

Fabric base panel 102 and pocket panel 104 may be of terry cloth. Closure 106 may be hook and loop fastener located on the inside surface of pocket panel 104. Of course, closures such as snaps, buttons, tie strings and others (none shown) may be provided. Soap 110, shown as a solid bar type soap in FIG. 1, may be fully inserted into receptacle 108, so that closure 106 may be closed to retain soap 110 in receptacle 108. Exfoliating material 112 is of the mechanical type (as opposed e.g. to a chemical exfoliant). Examples of suitable materials include microfiber fabric, and fabrics impregnated with comminuted natural materials such as fruit seed and nut shells, and naturally abrasive materials such as sponges, loofah, and bristle bearing materials.

In FIG. 1, exfoliating material 112 is shown on pocket panel 104. Exfoliating material 112 may comprise a fabric partially covered by pocket panel 104 and exposed through a window 118 in pocket panel 104. Handles 114, 116 may terminate in respective loops 120, 122. Handles 114, 116 may be formed by attaching an elongated strip along one side of fabric base panel 102 and/or pocket panel 104.

In FIG. 1, fabric base panel 102 is rectangular. It will be seen that handles 114, 116 project from fabric base panel or pocket panel 104 at respective corners 124, 126 of the rectangle formed by fabric base panel 102.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a variation of washcloth 100, wherein exfoliating material 112 is on the reverse side of fabric base panel 102, and is not visible in the view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a washcloth 100 wherein receptacle 108 is arranged such that a border 128 of pocket panel 104 extends from one corner 124 to opposed corner 126 of the rectangle formed by fabric base panel 102.

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement of a washcloth 100 wherein exfoliating material 112 is revealed through two windows 130, 132 in fabric base panel 102.

FIG. 5 shows a washcloth 100 wherein receptacle 108 is formed by a patch 134. Patch 134 may be partially stitched or otherwise permanently secured to fabric base panel 102, or alternatively, may be removable from fabric base panel 102. Patch 134 may take on a decorative appearance, such as having a silhouette of a fish as shown in FIG. 5. Other decorative appearances, such as a smiling face and others, may be provided.

FIG. 6 shows an optional feature of a washcloth 100 (not shown in its entirety), wherein a flexible, water-impervious pouch 136 is secured to fabric base panel 102. Pouch 136 is intended to receive and dispense liquid soap during bathing. Pouch 136 has openings 138 which enable liquid soap to be gradually dispensed. Pouch 136 has a closure 140, which may include hook and loop fastener, interfit between closure 140 and a front panel 142 of pouch 136, and other options.

Washcloth 100 may be utilized for cooling and warming functions. This is realized by placing a heated or cooled gel pack (not shown) or other source of heat or cooled medium within receptacle 108 or pouch 136.

Washcloth 100 may be used in several ways. In one way, washcloth 100 is held in one or two hands and slid across the body. In another way, handles 114, 116 are grasped by hand and drawn away from one another. Now taut, washcloth 100 may be slid across portions of the body which are not immediately accessible by hand grasping of washcloth 100, such as the back and buttocks. Washcloth 100 may be turned with one side towards the body to expose the body to soap 110, or with the other side towards the body for scrubbing and exfoliating, for example.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.

It should be understood that the various examples of the apparatus(es) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features, and functionalities of any of the other examples of the apparatus(es) disclosed herein in any feasible combination, and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Many modifications of examples set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific examples presented and that modifications and other examples are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe examples of the present disclosure in the context of certain illustrative combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A washcloth for washing and exfoliating the body, comprising: a fabric base panel; a pocket panel coupled to the fabric base panel, the pocket panel including a closure and providing a receptacle for receiving soap; an exfoliating material coupled to the washcloth in a location exposed to enable the exfoliating material to exfoliate the skin of the body when drawn over the skin; a first flexible handle coupled to the fabric base panel at a perimeter of the fabric base panel; and a second flexible handle coupled to the fabric base panel at the perimeter of the fabric base panel opposite the first flexible handle. 